Stuck waiting for biopsy and confused/frustrated

aush1126 · New User Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1 Location: WA

I have been to two doctors now about what turned out to be an enlarged lymph node on the right side of my neck. While feeling around he noticed, what we found out through getting an ultrasound, a thyroid nodule. I moved across the country this September and my doctor from the East Coast, after much hassle, told me i needed a biopsy on the thyroid nodual. I got an appointment with a doctor at an ear, nose and throat doctor who proceeded to give me some killer antibiotics which I finished taking about 2 weeks ago and did nothing. I still haven't been able to speak to him and ask him how to get the damn biopsy. (I should also note he suggested the possibility of a second biopsy on the swollen lymph node.) I scheduled an appointment with him this Wednesday so I can actually talk to a doctor about how me, a 19 year old male with no previous health concerns, can find out if those uncomfortable lumps in my neck are cancer. I noticed today that I have two slightly discolored lumps on my scalp, as well as what I am assuming to be another swollen lymph node behind my right ear. There are many more less concerning bumps all around, but should I mention these to my doctor when I see him? Or would it be smart for me to go ahead and find an endocrinologist or something to do get these biopsies over with?

brainman

Hi aush1126. I am sorry about your health concerns. I think that you should tell your medical team about all the swollen nodes. It is not easy to tell you what you should do. I know how hard it is to wait. If it was me, I would ask about a biopsy... maybe not ask for one at this point but at least ask your medical team about one. That will at least show them that you are concerned Wink

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centaura · Regular Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 15 Location: Midwest

I fully understand your frustration! I've just spent the last month waiting on news of I had thyroid cancer or not, and its been driving me batty.

In you case - the ENT you originally went to must have decided that you had enlarged lymph nodes due to an infection - which is the most common cause for an enlarged lymph node. If they haven't contacted you, then they think its not a concern. You have two options - first, you can make your own appointment with the ENT you saw to ask them what they think now that you've run the course of the anti-biotics, or you can try to get an appointment with a surgical oncologist and see if you can get a biopsy that way.

That's what I ended up doing, I didn't like the way that my doctor's clinic worked, so I called my health insurance company and found out that I can self refer myself to a specialist. Which I did, and believe me it made a world of difference! The ENT that I had been talking to said that my mass was not biopsy-able due to its location, and they were going to go ahead with surgery. I just got back from the specialist today - he was able to biopsy it no problem and says that for right now he doesn't think I need surgery - he wants to observe its behavior for a month.

So, I'd say start making some phone calls, see if you can research some good centers in your area, and do tell them about any an all lumps that you have that are worrying you.

-Centaura

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